Services

High thinking solves broadband problem

PEOPLE in Darwen can receive next-generation broadband after an iconic chimney was transformed into a giant antenna.

Internet firm 6G has joined forces with Pro Light Concepts by using the chimney tower at its Olive Lane base to deliver superfast broadband to homes and businesses in the area.

It is the first transmission site of its kind in Darwen with more set to be secured, said bosses at the firm.

Unlike traditional internet providers, 6G uses air fibre technology instead of underground cables to deliver its broadband service through the air.

Using tall buildings as transmission sites, 6G said it could provide speeds in excess of 100Mbps, where the average speed in Blackburn and Darwen was between two and 5Mbps to residents and businesses.

Linda Szafar, enterprise relationship manager at 6G, said: “We are really excited about this link-up with Pro Light and the prospect of delivering low-cost superfast broadband to Darwen. We believe we can assist in regenerating the town because fast connectivity is a big attraction for businesses looking to move into the area.”

Mayor of Darwen Town Council Trevor Maxfield performed the official ‘switch-on’ to launch the link-up.

He said: “It is great to see two East Lancashire businesses working together on a project that will benefit the whole community.”

Pro Light provides lighting and sound systems for nightclubs, theatres, hotels and public buildings in the UK and abroad.

MD Andrew Jeffrey said: “As a business we have suffered from really slow internet speeds over the past 10 years so the arrival of 6G is a major boost for us and the rest of the Darwen business community.

“We can have 10 to 12 members of staff using the internet at any one time while they are talking to customers on the phone.

“They might need to download a manual to give customers advice but that used to take an age under the old system as we were typically getting speeds of 6mbps or slower.

“Now we are getting 30mbps which has speeded up our entire operation.”

Comments

madmurphy
7:43am Sat 2 Aug 14

OBT2 wrote…

I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.

So what's your suggestion?

[quote][p][bold]OBT2[/bold] wrote:
I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.[/p][/quote]So what's your suggestion?madmurphy

OBT2 wrote…

I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.

So what's your suggestion?

Score: 1

OBT2
11:30pm Fri 1 Aug 14

I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.

I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.OBT2

I'm all for progress but when it makes things look like a complete eyesore then no. I feel sorry for the people who live across from this monstrosity! It's not in keeping with the surrounding architecture and there's nothing subtle about it or it's signage.

Score: -8

CapitaBackHander
12:42am Sat 2 Aug 14

I just wish BT would get it's act together re superfast broadband. Many many months behind schedule and no doubt no pressure on them because Blackburn has it!

I just wish BT would get it's act together re superfast broadband. Many many months behind schedule and no doubt no pressure on them because Blackburn has it!CapitaBackHander

I just wish BT would get it's act together re superfast broadband. Many many months behind schedule and no doubt no pressure on them because Blackburn has it!

Score: 7

A Darener
11:59am Sat 2 Aug 14

I suggest Virginmedia where possible, 50M broadband, no problem! No eyesore.

I suggest Virginmedia where possible, 50M broadband, no problem! No eyesore.A Darener

I suggest Virginmedia where possible, 50M broadband, no problem! No eyesore.

Score: 3

Richard Pembrook
5:35am Tue 5 Aug 14

This is another story which the telegraph have failed to do any research on. A quick Google unearthed horror stories about this company which is linked with time computers, this is from ISPReview . . .

According to the local rag (Burnley Citizen), 6G has just opened a new store at The Mall in Blackburn and apparently the technology, which is said to have allegedly cost millions to develop, could soon be rolled out across the rest of the United Kingdom over the next 12 months. Now that’s quite a statement and one that should perhaps be taken with a cup full of salt (we’re not quite so trusting as the newspaper clearly is).

The broadly unknown company, which claims to have offices in Hong Kong and Dubai, expects to complete its deployment in Blackburn over the next 8-10 weeks and at that rate it will take a lot longer than 12 months to cover the United Kingdom (math.. we can do it). We suppose it’s possible that 6G could come out of nowhere to solve the UK’s broadband woes but for now sceptical cat is still sceptical.

Funnily enough, and somewhat despite the bold headline speed claims of 300Mbps, the actual packages on offer are rather less impressive (note: these are for now only shown on their blog page). The most expensive Option 2 package offers 20Mbps broadband speeds for £43.48 per month with free evening/weekend calls on a 24 month contract (plus £49 installation). It’s also suggested that the price could rise after the first 18-24 months when various line rental and calling discounts come to an end. Yes, line rental, on a wireless link.

Suffice to say that 6G has a lot to prove and for now we've been left with considerably more questions than answers.

UPDATE 9th December 2013

It’s been noted by several of our readers that 6G Internet appears to share the same address as Time Computers (Time Group UK and Time Group AE) and now Supanet, which is an ISP that we no longer list due to a history of questionable business practices / service quality and the fact that they don’t meet our basic listing criteria.

As well as coming under the same group the FWA system being used appears to make use of Ubiquiti Networks point-to-point and point-to-multi-point gear on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which is a similar setup to Metronet UK’s hybrid fibre optic and wireless broadband network.

Caution is advisable.

This is another story which the telegraph have failed to do any research on. A quick Google unearthed horror stories about this company which is linked with time computers, this is from ISPReview . . .
According to the local rag (Burnley Citizen), 6G has just opened a new store at The Mall in Blackburn and apparently the technology, which is said to have allegedly cost millions to develop, could soon be rolled out across the rest of the United Kingdom over the next 12 months. Now that’s quite a statement and one that should perhaps be taken with a cup full of salt (we’re not quite so trusting as the newspaper clearly is).
The broadly unknown company, which claims to have offices in Hong Kong and Dubai, expects to complete its deployment in Blackburn over the next 8-10 weeks and at that rate it will take a lot longer than 12 months to cover the United Kingdom (math.. we can do it). We suppose it’s possible that 6G could come out of nowhere to solve the UK’s broadband woes but for now sceptical cat is still sceptical.
Funnily enough, and somewhat despite the bold headline speed claims of 300Mbps, the actual packages on offer are rather less impressive (note: these are for now only shown on their blog page). The most expensive Option 2 package offers 20Mbps broadband speeds for £43.48 per month with free evening/weekend calls on a 24 month contract (plus £49 installation). It’s also suggested that the price could rise after the first 18-24 months when various line rental and calling discounts come to an end. Yes, line rental, on a wireless link.
Suffice to say that 6G has a lot to prove and for now we've been left with considerably more questions than answers.
UPDATE 9th December 2013
It’s been noted by several of our readers that 6G Internet appears to share the same address as Time Computers (Time Group UK and Time Group AE) and now Supanet, which is an ISP that we no longer list due to a history of questionable business practices / service quality and the fact that they don’t meet our basic listing criteria.
As well as coming under the same group the FWA system being used appears to make use of Ubiquiti Networks point-to-point and point-to-multi-point gear on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which is a similar setup to Metronet UK’s hybrid fibre optic and wireless broadband network.
Caution is advisable.Richard Pembrook

This is another story which the telegraph have failed to do any research on. A quick Google unearthed horror stories about this company which is linked with time computers, this is from ISPReview . . .

According to the local rag (Burnley Citizen), 6G has just opened a new store at The Mall in Blackburn and apparently the technology, which is said to have allegedly cost millions to develop, could soon be rolled out across the rest of the United Kingdom over the next 12 months. Now that’s quite a statement and one that should perhaps be taken with a cup full of salt (we’re not quite so trusting as the newspaper clearly is).

The broadly unknown company, which claims to have offices in Hong Kong and Dubai, expects to complete its deployment in Blackburn over the next 8-10 weeks and at that rate it will take a lot longer than 12 months to cover the United Kingdom (math.. we can do it). We suppose it’s possible that 6G could come out of nowhere to solve the UK’s broadband woes but for now sceptical cat is still sceptical.

Funnily enough, and somewhat despite the bold headline speed claims of 300Mbps, the actual packages on offer are rather less impressive (note: these are for now only shown on their blog page). The most expensive Option 2 package offers 20Mbps broadband speeds for £43.48 per month with free evening/weekend calls on a 24 month contract (plus £49 installation). It’s also suggested that the price could rise after the first 18-24 months when various line rental and calling discounts come to an end. Yes, line rental, on a wireless link.

Suffice to say that 6G has a lot to prove and for now we've been left with considerably more questions than answers.

UPDATE 9th December 2013

It’s been noted by several of our readers that 6G Internet appears to share the same address as Time Computers (Time Group UK and Time Group AE) and now Supanet, which is an ISP that we no longer list due to a history of questionable business practices / service quality and the fact that they don’t meet our basic listing criteria.

As well as coming under the same group the FWA system being used appears to make use of Ubiquiti Networks point-to-point and point-to-multi-point gear on 2.4GHz and 5GHz, which is a similar setup to Metronet UK’s hybrid fibre optic and wireless broadband network.

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